Sehwag, Dravid make New Zealand toil

Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid tormented New Zealand’s bowlers with contrasting centuries to give India a flying start in the first test on Thursday.

At close, the hosts were at 329 for three after Sehwag (173) and Dravid (104) combined in a 237-run partnership for the second wicket to build a solid platform for India.

Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag (R) and Rahul Dravid (L) take a run during the first day of the first Test match between India and New Zealand at The Sardar Patel Gujarat Cricket Stadium at Motera on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on November 4, 2010. India are currently at 127 runs for the loss of one wicket in 30 overs after India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni elected to bat after winning the toss. AFP PHOTO/Sajjad HUSSAIN

The visitors had some consolation in the last session of the day when they picked up the wickets of Sehwag and Dravid.

With Sachin Tendulkar (13 not out) and Vangipurappu Laxman (seven not out) at the crease and Suresh Raina and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to follow, India will aim to drive home the advantage of batting first on a pitch already offering turn and inconsistent bounce.

Sehwag treated the New Zealand bowlers with disdain en route to his 22nd test century, his knock consisting of 24 boundaries and a huge six.

The swashbuckling right-hander danced down the track twice in the 90s to hoist New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori over the in-field to bring up his century.

The left-arm spinner ultimately had his revenge when he bowled Sehwag, with the ball ricocheting off his pads on to the stumps.

“If we want to stay at number one... If we want to win more test matches, we have to give time to our bowlers to take 20 wickets,” Sehwag told Neo Cricket channel.

“The new ball was coming onto the bat, that’s why I played a couple of shots. But afterwards the ball was stopping.”

Dravid was a touch slow to start with but picked up his strike-rate later in his innings. He fell to the second new ball, chopping Chris Martin on to his stumps after scoring his 30th test century.

The visitors compounded their miserable day by dropping both Sehwag and Dravid. Off-spinner Jeetan Patel floored a straightforward return catch off Sehwag on 144 and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins spilled Dravid on 28 off Jesse Ryder.

Patel had an ordinary day with the ball too as the Indians seemed to take a particular liking to his off spin, conceding 61 off the nine overs he bowled before tea.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

Sehwag said he had to work hard to switch off at times during his innings.

“When I am off strike, I try singing songs, talk to the umpires and not think about the game,” he said.

“I try to enjoy my cricket. The moment I start thinking, negative thoughts come on to my mind.”

Earlier, Dhoni had no hesitation in opting to bat first after winning the toss for the first time in nine tests.

India’s only casualty in the morning session was Gautam Gambhir for 21, when the left-hander played on to part-time medium pacer Ryder attempting an expansive cover drive.

The second test is in Hyderabad and the third in Nagpur.